STRIKER Lee Jones has underlined his belief the Dragons' new-look strikeforce will deliver for Wrexham - with manager Denis Smith reacting angrily to any suggestion otherwise.

In the aftermath of the defeat against Crewe, in which Smith was given his marching orders following a clash with the linesman, the Dragons boss was asked if he was worried about his side's lack of goals.

"That's a really stupid question," snapped Smith, who then refused to discuss the subject further.

But with most of the pre-season talk centred on the Dragons' new frontmen - Chris Llewellyn and Chris Armstrong - many fans have been worried about the lack of goalmouth action in Wrexham's two opening games.

Tuesday's 2-0 Carling Cup defeat, in which both Smith and Brian Carey were sent off, followed a 0-0 home stalemate against Chesterfield on Saturday. And despite Armstrong hitting the post and Hector Sam the bar during those two games, Wrexham strikers haven't had much else to shout about.

However Jones, who had to leave the field injured after 45 minutes against the Railwaymen, is sure the Dragons strike-force will soon be firing on all cylinders. And that the loss of the Andy Morrell-Lee Trundle partnership will not have a huge impact.

"There really is nothing to worry about in that department," he said.

"The lads we've brought in are quality. It was always going to be hard to replace Andy and Lee because they were fantastic last term, but we can."

Morrell enjoyed the season of his life in the Third Divsion last term, maturing as a striker and bagging 33 league goals in the process. Trundle's strength and trickery provided an excellent foil if not the equilavent in goals.

However the pairing were largely untested in the Second Division, where defences are known to be meaner.

Although fans were restless when both Morrell and Trundle left for Coventry and Swansea respectively, Sm ith so o n addres sed the shortfall by bringing in Armstrong and Llewellyn.

They had both scored goals at higher levels and were seen by many as better players. Jones is sure that once they do fit in with the rest of the team, everyone will see their worth.

He added: "It's true that these lads need time to settle and will have to gel with the people we have here, but make no mistake, once they get off the mark the goals will come.

"Chris Armstrong has done it in the Premiership and will have no problem in the Second, while Chris Llewellyn has been there in the First Division."

Despite being goalless for two matches, Jones believes there were mitigating circumstances which have conspired to see the Dragons draw a blank.

"Against Crewe I think we dominated a First Division side," he said. "We lost because of some terrible decisions from the referee.

"Darren Ferguson clearly won the ball but a penalty was given. He really was one of the worst officials I've ever witnessed.

"Against Chesterfield the heat was just obscene. I've played in South Africa but this was a lot worse. I was only on for 20 minutes but it felt like three hours. That sort of heat did not help attacking play, but after one match we've got a point to show for it."

But Wrexham's bid to break their scoring duck, against Notts County on Saturday, has been dealt a blow with the fact that Jones is ruled out after tweaking his ankle at the Alexandra stadium.

"The injury is nothing serious and I should be back in about 10 days," he said. "I've just tweaked a ligament and fortunately there's no strain. I've been into to see Mel Pejic (Wrexham physio) this morning and, touch wood, I'll just miss one game."

However that fresh blow was the last thing the Wrexham-born striker needed following an injury-plagued third spell at the Racecourse.

"It's disappointing because I had a good pre-season," he said. "I went to strike the ball and just felt something. Perhaps I could have continued but it swelled up a bit and we decided not to risk it.

"But I know this is a really big season for me. I've got to stay in the team and earn myself a new contract. I'm disappointed but not worried, because I'll soon be back."